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Two ghosts who nailed it: a pair of grim Prague legends
Malá Strana has two ghosts who suffered painful deaths that involved iron nails. A pair of otherwise unrelated ghosts a few streets apart in Prague’s historical Malá Strana area have something in…
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The horoscopes of Albrecht von Wallenstein
General Albrecht von Wallenstein took astrology very seriously, even delaying a battle due to the stars. One of the most significant generals of the Thirty Years’ War, Albrecht Wenzel Eusebius von Wallenstein had…
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Using The Tarot of Prague
ABrazilian fan of The Tarot of Prague explains why it is his favorite to read. People from all sorts of backgrounds become involved with Tarot, and also have different reasons for choosing…
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Legends of the Bohemian Crown Jewels
The Bohemian Crown Jewels and St Wenceslas’ helmet are alleged to have magic powers. The real Bohemian Crown Jewels are only shown to the public on special occasions. The rest of the…
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Alchemy reigns at the House at the Stone Lamb
The elaborate stone portal is filled with messages of duality and transformation. On Old Town Square, there is a house with a plaque saying Albert Einstein used to stop by there. But…
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The mad barber of Karlova Street
The lure of free gold led a barber down the path to ruin. Sometimes having a decent profession isn’t enough. A barber during the time of Emperor Rudolf II was growing bored…
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The kind ghost nun at St Agnes Cloister
A wealthy nobleman tried to break up a romance by having his daughter become a nun. The rich should marry the rich, and the poor should marry the poor. That idea was…
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The curious legend of the green frog who ate a tailor
The image of an amphibian above a door is a reminder of a comical tale. Not all of Prague’s legends are scary ones. Some are more like extended jokes. The tale of…
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The ghost of a runaway lover haunts Platýz Palace
The building on Národní třída has been haunted for over 650 years. A bit lost on busy Národní třída in the commercial shopping area of Prague is a building and courtyard called…
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Fortunes change for two people on Charles Bridge
Fate frowns on a vain merchant but smiles on a poor villager and bridge guard when fortunes change. Two tales tell of strange reversals of fortune that took place on Charles Bridge.…
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The House at the Two Golden Bears joins Heaven and Earth
One of the most elaborate portals in Prague leads to a long-closed tunnel complex. Most old European cities have a network of underground tunnels, often now walled up and forgotten. They were…
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A peasant girl haunts Liechtenstein Palace
The miller’s daughter tried to break into society by attending a ball at Liechtenstein Palace but it ended in tragedy. Every young woman wants to be popular. On Kampa Island, near Charles…